4 ms·

Mesmerizing Interlocking Geometric Patterns Produced with Japanese Woodworking

135 points by pseudolus 2y ago

paulgerhardt 2y ago
This is one of those things I would recommend trying yourself for the full experience. I visited an exhibition on woodworking at the Japan House on high street and they were selling kits similar to this [1][2]. It was a very fun, soothing, asmr-style experience assembling them. Sadly I was unable to find more kits when I was in Japan last, but it has inspired me to get into the hobby of crafting them from scratch. [1] https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit [2] https://a.co/d/5zRbxp6 https://a.co/d/5zRbxp6
- JKCalhoun 2y ago
  Thanks. I have watched a few YouTube videos of people doing this beginning with just the wood (I happen to have a lot of wood working tools already). I would like to make a lamp/lantern some day.
- Dunan 2y ago
  I live in a neighborhood in central Tokyo where there are classes that teach this technique, out of one of the very few pre-war houses still standing. We signed up for a class sort of at random and ended up making beautiful panels like the ones you see in the pictures. Attached them to handmade "washi" paper and made a lamp screen as a housewarming gift for my sibling.
- robocat 2y ago
  The https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit video is really good at showing how the kumiko bits slot together.
Calwestjobs 2y ago
Most annoying thing about this art is that i can see how these small parts can be manufactured by machines in huge quantities quite easily. And so when we have capability to make such stuff, why don't we? Is it crisis in schooling, in our world view? Also with other kind of arts, why dont we have it more in our lives?
- 0_____0 2y ago
  Who is "we"? The purpose isn't scaling up. I sometimes think that the "hypergrowth" segment of the population will efficiency-hack everything until either they all, or perhaps the rest of us, have left our meatspace bodies behind and simply exist as a series of Docker containers
  - guhidalg 2y ago
    Who has the kubectl credentials to humanity?
  - gessha 2y ago
    Yeah, I don’t see a purpose behind mass-producing these. The beauty of these pieces is the intent and craftsmanship that went into it. You can 3D scan the works of Michelangelo or print out a Mona Lisa but what’s the point? What’s good for mass-production is utility pieces, not art.
- ceejayoz 2y ago
  If you want a machine-made masterpiece, buy an iPhone. The intricacy of a modern CPU far exceeds this woodwork. Mass producing these would be like hiring a print shop to send a “I love you” note to a million random humans. It misses the point.
- gus_massa 2y ago
  Because usig them is expensive. Using a nail gun or supeglue is cheaper.
- jasonthorsness 2y ago
  I think the bent and “through” pieces would be quite difficult to make and assemble in bulk. You could produce something sort-of similar with laser cut or maybe stamped pieces but the grain would be all wrong and you would need to deal with charring in the case of the laser. So maybe this would not be so easy to mass-manufacture and still have it look impressive.
scorchingjello 2y ago
Kinda bummed there wasn’t any Japanese woodworking in the picture. Just this American artist’s studies of it. I was hoping for some comparison shots to the historic Japanese forms mentioned.
mikhailfranco 2y ago
Reminds me of Islamic Mashrabiya screens. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Mashrabiya&ia=images&iax=images https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Mashrabiya&ia=images&iax=images Historically, the screens were quite simple, with more complex patterns reserved for ceramic tilings (symmetry groups, colorings, knots and intertwinings). Now there are good modern screens with more innovative patterns, made with computer-controlled laser cutters. In a quick search for Kumiko examples, I very much like the irregular patterns that add or remove various symmetrical elements across the piece, often in an irregular macro-pattern. Similar pattern evolutions are possible with Islamic designs, but are not yet common - perhaps an opportunity.
- poeticfolly 2y ago
  I have wanted such screens for ages, do you know where I can buy such screens for my house?
  - cinntaile 2y ago
    I don't have an answer but you probably want to mention where you live.
amelius 2y ago
Looks nice, but will catch a lot of dust. How do you keep it clean?
- _carbyau_ 2y ago
  Whenever I look at any of the 3D model library websites (thingiverse, makerworld etc) this is a repeating thought popup. Especially the lampshades or anything with the keyword "voronoi".
- steve_adams_86 2y ago
  A wire spiral brush[1] and/or a vacuum with a narrow implement and bristles[2] [1] https://www.feltonbrushes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/F2334.png https://www.feltonbrushes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/F23... [2] https://media.diy.com/is/image/KingfisherDigital/spares2go-2-in-1-dusting-brush-crevice-tool-compatible-with-shark-rotator-lift-away-vacuum-cleaner~5056206060824_07c_MP?$MOB_PREV$&$width=600&$height=600 https://media.diy.com/is/image/KingfisherDigital/spares2go-2...
DamnInteresting 2y ago
I've been reading Smithsonian Magazine for a long time, and I would like to take this opportunity to complain about one element of their recent website redesign. I find it deeply annoying that there is no publication date anywhere on the page. It's especially annoying in their News section. Am I looking at new news, or old news? I do know that it's in the source code, but I shouldn't have to view source for such a basic and important detail.
- DamnInteresting 2y ago
  Nevermind, I've just discovered that the problem isn't Smithsonian, it's uBlock Origin's "cosmetic filters." One of the lists was removing the date from the Smithsonian pages. Inscrutable.
adrianN 2y ago
How difficult is it to make these with the tools available in the Asuka period compared to modern tools?
- joshvm 2y ago
  I would imagine the most difficult part would be preparing thin enough stock accurately, but that's possible via planing. The cutting and angle-forming can be done with custom planes or jigs/guide blocks. I don't think you even need a particularly thin saw blade.
Hnrobert42 2y ago
Thank you for this post. It inspired me to go down and see the craft fair today. It was great!
Aliens_agent 2y ago
The mortise and tenon craft originated in China, and China has the most exquisite skills and craftsmanship
WillAdams 2y ago
Wish "Kumiko" had been included in the title. For folks who wish to get started on this, one great company to order from is Lee Valley: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/supplies/project-materials/112279-kumiko-starter-kit https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/supplies/project-...
- steve_adams_86 2y ago
  I got this for my son years ago and we both loved it. I've wanted to take on larger projects since, but we've only made small items like coasters. It's so gratifying. It hurt my fingers at first (maybe I'm doing something wrong) but as you build callus it gets easier. It's such a nice way to spend a weekend morning. I bought various angled jigs for cutting with my chisels, but I realized in retrospect that I could have saved a lot of money by 3d printing jigs. If you have a printer and want to give this a shot, that could be a useful way to get going. Lee Valley also sells a good book about this: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/books-and-dvds/111440-the-art-of-kumiko https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/books-and-dvds/11... I'm realizing now would be a great time to start making some projects as Christmas gifts. I should bring my tools on camping trips over summer, have some nice kumiko and coffee mornings, and get myself ahead for holiday gifts.
  - WillAdams 2y ago
    Interestingly, doing woodworking when camping/vacationing is something that I've been wanting to dedicate a toolbox/set of tools to. Agree on the 3D printed jigs/fixtures thing --- it's surprisingly handy, and lends itself to a wonderful precision. That said, what I really want for this sort of thing is a shooting plane/board (though I suppose I could just use my Jointmaker Pro, for which I really want to make an angle setting fixture).
    - steve_adams_86 2y ago
      The joint maker pro looks like so much fun! I love Bridge City. Do you get much use out of it? It’s not very hard to make kumiko jigs from scrap wood, too. I was a bit lazy at the time, and given a trip to the wood store and a bit of planning could have done it myself. A shooting board is also a great idea

135 points by pseudolus 2y ago

This is one of those things I would recommend trying yourself for the full experience. I visited an exhibition on woodworking at the Japan House on high street and they were selling kits similar to this [1][2]. It was a very fun, soothing, asmr-style experience assembling them. Sadly I was unable to find more kits when I was in Japan last, but it has inspired me to get into the hobby of crafting them from scratch. [1] https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit [2] https://a.co/d/5zRbxp6 https://a.co/d/5zRbxp6

JKCalhoun 2y ago
Thanks. I have watched a few YouTube videos of people doing this beginning with just the wood (I happen to have a lot of wood working tools already). I would like to make a lamp/lantern some day.
Dunan 2y ago
I live in a neighborhood in central Tokyo where there are classes that teach this technique, out of one of the very few pre-war houses still standing. We signed up for a class sort of at random and ended up making beautiful panels like the ones you see in the pictures. Attached them to handmade "washi" paper and made a lamp screen as a housewarming gift for my sibling.
robocat 2y ago
The https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit https://pojstudio.com/products/kumiko-coaster-kit video is really good at showing how the kumiko bits slot together.

Calwestjobs 2y ago

Most annoying thing about this art is that i can see how these small parts can be manufactured by machines in huge quantities quite easily. And so when we have capability to make such stuff, why don't we? Is it crisis in schooling, in our world view? Also with other kind of arts, why dont we have it more in our lives?

0_____0 2y ago
Who is "we"? The purpose isn't scaling up. I sometimes think that the "hypergrowth" segment of the population will efficiency-hack everything until either they all, or perhaps the rest of us, have left our meatspace bodies behind and simply exist as a series of Docker containers
- guhidalg 2y ago
  Who has the kubectl credentials to humanity?
- gessha 2y ago
  Yeah, I don’t see a purpose behind mass-producing these. The beauty of these pieces is the intent and craftsmanship that went into it. You can 3D scan the works of Michelangelo or print out a Mona Lisa but what’s the point? What’s good for mass-production is utility pieces, not art.
ceejayoz 2y ago
If you want a machine-made masterpiece, buy an iPhone. The intricacy of a modern CPU far exceeds this woodwork. Mass producing these would be like hiring a print shop to send a “I love you” note to a million random humans. It misses the point.
gus_massa 2y ago
Because usig them is expensive. Using a nail gun or supeglue is cheaper.
jasonthorsness 2y ago
I think the bent and “through” pieces would be quite difficult to make and assemble in bulk. You could produce something sort-of similar with laser cut or maybe stamped pieces but the grain would be all wrong and you would need to deal with charring in the case of the laser. So maybe this would not be so easy to mass-manufacture and still have it look impressive.

scorchingjello 2y ago

Kinda bummed there wasn’t any Japanese woodworking in the picture. Just this American artist’s studies of it. I was hoping for some comparison shots to the historic Japanese forms mentioned.

mikhailfranco 2y ago

Reminds me of Islamic Mashrabiya screens. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Mashrabiya&ia=images&iax=images https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Mashrabiya&ia=images&iax=images Historically, the screens were quite simple, with more complex patterns reserved for ceramic tilings (symmetry groups, colorings, knots and intertwinings). Now there are good modern screens with more innovative patterns, made with computer-controlled laser cutters. In a quick search for Kumiko examples, I very much like the irregular patterns that add or remove various symmetrical elements across the piece, often in an irregular macro-pattern. Similar pattern evolutions are possible with Islamic designs, but are not yet common - perhaps an opportunity.

poeticfolly 2y ago
I have wanted such screens for ages, do you know where I can buy such screens for my house?
- cinntaile 2y ago
  I don't have an answer but you probably want to mention where you live.

amelius 2y ago

Looks nice, but will catch a lot of dust. How do you keep it clean?

_carbyau_ 2y ago
Whenever I look at any of the 3D model library websites (thingiverse, makerworld etc) this is a repeating thought popup. Especially the lampshades or anything with the keyword "voronoi".
steve_adams_86 2y ago
A wire spiral brush[1] and/or a vacuum with a narrow implement and bristles[2] [1] https://www.feltonbrushes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/F2334.png https://www.feltonbrushes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/F23... [2] https://media.diy.com/is/image/KingfisherDigital/spares2go-2-in-1-dusting-brush-crevice-tool-compatible-with-shark-rotator-lift-away-vacuum-cleaner~5056206060824_07c_MP?$MOB_PREV$&$width=600&$height=600 https://media.diy.com/is/image/KingfisherDigital/spares2go-2...

DamnInteresting 2y ago

I've been reading Smithsonian Magazine for a long time, and I would like to take this opportunity to complain about one element of their recent website redesign. I find it deeply annoying that there is no publication date anywhere on the page. It's especially annoying in their News section. Am I looking at new news, or old news? I do know that it's in the source code, but I shouldn't have to view source for such a basic and important detail.

DamnInteresting 2y ago
Nevermind, I've just discovered that the problem isn't Smithsonian, it's uBlock Origin's "cosmetic filters." One of the lists was removing the date from the Smithsonian pages. Inscrutable.

adrianN 2y ago

How difficult is it to make these with the tools available in the Asuka period compared to modern tools?

joshvm 2y ago
I would imagine the most difficult part would be preparing thin enough stock accurately, but that's possible via planing. The cutting and angle-forming can be done with custom planes or jigs/guide blocks. I don't think you even need a particularly thin saw blade.

Hnrobert42 2y ago

Thank you for this post. It inspired me to go down and see the craft fair today. It was great!

Aliens_agent 2y ago

The mortise and tenon craft originated in China, and China has the most exquisite skills and craftsmanship

WillAdams 2y ago

Wish "Kumiko" had been included in the title. For folks who wish to get started on this, one great company to order from is Lee Valley: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/supplies/project-materials/112279-kumiko-starter-kit https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/supplies/project-...

steve_adams_86 2y ago
I got this for my son years ago and we both loved it. I've wanted to take on larger projects since, but we've only made small items like coasters. It's so gratifying. It hurt my fingers at first (maybe I'm doing something wrong) but as you build callus it gets easier. It's such a nice way to spend a weekend morning. I bought various angled jigs for cutting with my chisels, but I realized in retrospect that I could have saved a lot of money by 3d printing jigs. If you have a printer and want to give this a shot, that could be a useful way to get going. Lee Valley also sells a good book about this: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/books-and-dvds/111440-the-art-of-kumiko https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/books-and-dvds/11... I'm realizing now would be a great time to start making some projects as Christmas gifts. I should bring my tools on camping trips over summer, have some nice kumiko and coffee mornings, and get myself ahead for holiday gifts.
- WillAdams 2y ago
  Interestingly, doing woodworking when camping/vacationing is something that I've been wanting to dedicate a toolbox/set of tools to. Agree on the 3D printed jigs/fixtures thing --- it's surprisingly handy, and lends itself to a wonderful precision. That said, what I really want for this sort of thing is a shooting plane/board (though I suppose I could just use my Jointmaker Pro, for which I really want to make an angle setting fixture).
  - steve_adams_86 2y ago
    The joint maker pro looks like so much fun! I love Bridge City. Do you get much use out of it? It’s not very hard to make kumiko jigs from scrap wood, too. I was a bit lazy at the time, and given a trip to the wood store and a bit of planning could have done it myself. A shooting board is also a great idea